Collagen and Hydroxyapatite Composite Membranes as Drug-Carrying Support for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Medical products comprised of devices and drugs have been known as a combination product. The biodegradable collagen (Col) sponges impregnated with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein can make bone formation hasten. It is expected further features by a combination of various growth factors and artificial bone materials. The binding properties of such factors to Col and hydroxyapatite (HAp) have not been elucidate to achieve a controlled release. In this study, we investigated artificial periosteum-like membranes made from tilapia fish Col and HAp composites as a drug carrying support. The Col-HAp composites with three different compositions in weight ratio of 2:8, 5:5 and 8:2 were made and crosslinked by irradiation of gamma-ray in wet condition. The tensile strengths of the membranes in wet or dry were depended on the compositions; however the strengths of the membranes in wet were apparently weaker at 1/10 or less than those in dry at a maximum 90 MPa. The adsorption ability of proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) or lysozyme (LSZ), on the membranes exhibited different tendency; the membranes including higher weight ratio of HAp adsorbed BSA rather than LSZ. These results indicated that the artificial Col-HAp membranes would be the suitable materials for biomedical device as combination products.